Squawking and Shuddering Front Brakes

[dasbus]

Last fall I had a rubber front brake line fail on my ’01 11S with ABS, so I replaced all the lines with Spiegler SS lines. I also replaced the front pads, likely the original pads, with EBC HH pads. The pads make some disturbing sounds when they are cold, under light braking. There also seems to be a bit of a shudder when this is occurring. It’s the worst when I leave work and am pretty much coasting down the parking ramp, it sounds like someone is dragging a metal chair across a concrete floor. It tends to go away once the brakes warm up. It stops fine, the pads squeal too, but I can live with that.

I’ve removed the pads, cleaned and sanded them lightly, I’ve also cleaned and sanded the rotors a few times to no avail. They don’t squawk or shudder in rain by the way.

Is this common with EBC pads or is something else going on? It didn’t do this before the brake line and pad replacement.

Thanks

[boxa]

You could try some brake cleaner. Ive never tried it myself but if you happy that the brakes are working perfectly it might be worth a try.

Brake Cleaner - Supercheap Auto Australia

Thanx
Dave

[dasbus]

I've gone through a couple cans of brake cleaner to no effect.

[Ciocc]

I replaced the front pads on my '01 ABS with EBC HH pads, and have had no issues. I did use an anti-squeel paste when I installed the pads, and bedded them after the install. I also replaced the pins, as mine had some corrosion on them.

Ciocc

[boxa]

Ive heard of people using a small amount of silicon on the back of the pad to stop them shuddering. Just a small dab where the piston touches the pad.

Thanx
Dave

[Meeni]

When I was shopping for pads, I've read similar stories on EBC. Very second hand witnessing here.

[Supersteve]

My friend bought ebc pads for his honda 600 and they are doing something similar, you can hear a grinding sound at low speeds and see the effect on the rotors too. I think the pads are just really hard.

[Noblehops]

You'd be wise to ball hone or emery-cloth sand those rotors when switching pad types.

N.

[SergioK]

Yes, emery cloth or Garnet sandpaper... don't use 'common' sandpaper either. Regular sanding paper (aluminium oxide) can cause more harm than good.

[flatbutt]

I've used EBC HH for years and they have always clattered. They also always stop the bike just fine.

[R111S]

I had similar problems on my '99 with EBC HH Pads until I switch out to the correct EBC P/N: FA407HH

Here's my log entries:
25AUG2008 - @53,135 Miles I’ve finally discovered what’s rattling up front. It’s the Front Brake Pads…I can rattle them with my fingers through the top opening of the Calipers. The EBC Brake Pads (P/N: FA246HH) do not have an “anti-rattle” clip on them.

They’ve been superseded by EBC P/N: FA407HH which have the “anti-rattle” clip. I installed the EBC Front Brake Pads 13,758 Miles ago. I checked the Pad material depth on the front and rear calipers…plenty left to go. The front OEM Pads lasted almost 40K Miles. I’ll install the newer ones next time.

12AUG2009 – I replaced the Front EBC FA246HH Brake Pads (19,607 Miles total use) with new EBC FA407HH Brake Pads. The FA407HH pad has a small metal spring clip that keeps the pad from rattling against the Calipers unlike the FA246HH pad which doesn’t have a spring clip. This will finally eliminate the rattling sound emanating from the front brake calipers.



Also the older R1100S had smaller diameter front discs so not 100% sure if this is the correct P/N for your 2001 model.

[dasbus]

Well I found some time to pull the pads. They have the anti-rattle springs. I hit the rotors with some emery cloth. Cleaned the pads and rotors again. I put a thin layer of Disk Brake Quiet on the pads and let that dry.

On a brief ride the squawking and squealing were gone. I haven't been in the office lately, so the parking ramp test awaits. Hopefully this is the cure.

Thanks everybody!